My journey into STEM and how I’m mentoring others into it

Published: Tuesday 15th April 2025
Category: Blog

Photo by Iwaria Inc. on Unsplash

My journey into Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) began with childhood encouragement from my father. He always brought home the Sunday National newspaper so I could read the “Surgeon’s Diary”, a column that was written by a renowned surgeon Dr. Yusuf Dawood until his demise in 2003. The column had stories about his experiences with the practice, his patients, diseases, social, health, economic and social realities in Kenya. My dad also bought me “Thinking Big” by Ben Carson as a way of encouraging me to work hard so that I could pursue my childhood passion in medicine. My mother encouraged me to pursue all the three sciences, Biology, Chemistry and Physics, offered in the Kenyan education system. She particularly emphasized Physics, an elective subject many students avoided due to its perceived difficulty. Although I had set out to pursue medicine from an early age, along the way I discovered a love for computers, and I ended up pursuing Computer Science as an undergraduate. What started as a surprising detour became a thrilling exploration which I would not have undertaken had I not pursued Physics in high school.

Challenges faced and overcame

Lucy Mwaura

Entering this field, I quickly realised that representation is an issue. During my undergraduate studies I was one of the only four women among 35 students in my class. The low representation of women in STEM can often result in imposter syndrome, causing even accomplished women to question their abilities. Overcoming this required a strong support system, mentorship and resilience. I have been fortunate to have people around me who encourage me to face these challenges and to keep on building my expertise. Despite the progress, in many areas, gender imbalance continues to be an issue. Globally women make up a mere 28 percent of the STEM workforce and only 22 percent of the professionals in artificial intelligence (World Economic Forum, 2025). In low-and-medium countries (LMICs), women’s contributions are often hindered by systemic barriers such as limited resources, visibility gaps and cultural stigmas. Lack of mentorship is also a major barrier for women in STEM, especially in LMICs. These factors motivated me to join academia, where I can mentor other women in STEM and be in spaces to inspire girls to pursue STEM courses. By supporting women and amplifying their achievements, we can challenge outdated norms and pave the way for the generations.

The role of mentorship and training

Mentorship and teaching have been an integral part of my journey. I have guided female students and young professional women in STEM. Seeing my students transform and grow in both skills and confidence has been one of the rewarding aspects of my teaching career. While I mostly mentor younger women, I have also learnt a great deal from my mentees, whose creativity, curiosity, perseverance continually inspire me. Initiatives such as Research4Life Massive for Open Online Courses (MOOCs) play an important role by equipping participants in various fields, including STEM, with confidence and skills required to be successful in their careers. I have personally witnessed how these MOOCs democratize learning and bridge knowledge gaps by providing practical knowledge and skills. They have empowered both myself and several of my mentees, enhancing our research capabilities and enabling more effective use of valuable research. Additionally, activities like the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) organised Media Skills Training Workshop for Female Researchers empower women to champion their research, communicate effectively and engage a wider audience.

Driving societal impact using technology

In addition to my mentoring and teaching roles, my current academic research focuses on leveraging technology to address broader societal issues. I believe that technology has enormous potential to positively impact society. Emerging technologies like artificial intelligence have applications in a wide range of fields from agriculture to environmental conservation. When combined with concepts like gamification, these technologies can enhance learning experiences and users engagement. Therefore, my PhD research focuses on using artificial intelligence and gamification to address societal problems. Specifically, I am developing a gamified application to manage electronic waste, one of the fastest growing waste streams in the world.

How the future looks like for women in STEM

Reflecting on my journey, I recognize that my success so far has been built on support from mentors, access to learning opportunities and the efforts of the many women championing equality in STEM. Success in this field requires collaboration, resilience and continuous progress. Although challenges remain, the landscape is evolving. More women are entering STEM fields, initiatives that are supporting women’s growth and our voices are being amplified. Through advocacy, education and mentorship, we can create an environment where aspiring engineers, scientists and technologists thrive regardless of background and gender. I remain committed to this vision and encourage every woman in STEM to support one another, push boundaries and embrace available learning opportunities. The future of STEM is inclusive, diverse and full of opportunities. By fostering a mentorship culture, investing in programs that build capacity and advocating systemic change, we can ensure that the future generation of women in STEM face fewer barriers and enjoy greater opportunities to contribute meaningfully to society.

About the author

Lucy Wacuka Mwaura is a tutorial fellow in the Department of Computer Information Technology (CIT) at Africa Nazarene University. She is currently pursuing a PhD in computer science at the University of Nairobi, and her research focus is on the use of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies in solving real-world challenges.

In addition to her academic work, she serves as the vice-secretary of the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD)—Kenyan Chapter.